Not solely did Jhon Duran assist Aston Villa take an enormous step in the direction of reaching the Champions League knockouts, the striker additionally despatched a transparent message to supervisor Unai Emery to reward him with a beginning place.
Duran’s curling 25-yard strike in on Tuesday was his tenth aim of the season, but he has solely made 4 begins in all competitions.
The Colombia worldwide, 20, offered himself as a , scoring from the bench in 4 of Villa’s 5 opening Premier League video games.
The six objectives he has scored in its place are greater than some other participant throughout Europe’s huge 5 leagues in all competitions this season.
After failing to attain in November, Duran has scored in back-to-back video games and calls from followers for him to start out extra typically are getting louder.
That’s partially to the type of Ollie Watkins; the England striker performed effectively in Leipzig, however he has scored simply as soon as from open play in his final 11 video games.
This season Watkins has scored seven objectives in all competitions, three fewer than Duran regardless of enjoying nearly double the minutes.
Emery confirmed that Duran changed Watkins at half-time on Tuesday because of the Englishman choosing up a “small harm”, so Duran may get the nod in opposition to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The query is, ought to Duran – Villa’s prime scorer within the Champions League – preserve the beginning function when Watkins is match?
‘I like the competitors’
Since Duran joined Villa in January 2023, he has began alongside Watkins simply twice.
Although Emery recommended on Monday that he’s open to enjoying each of his strikers collectively, it is clear his choice is one or the opposite.
That sort of state of affairs may simply create friction between the 2 gamers, however Duran says he’s joyful to play no matter function the staff wants him to.
“We labored exhausting as a staff, and that’s my job to attain. The primary factor was the win and the three factors away from house,” Duran informed Amazon Prime after the match.
“I am simply joyful to be right here and I really love the competitors with Ollie Watkins. When it is my flip I am going to step up and hopefully I can rating and assist the staff.
“We’re so joyful to be the place we’re within the standings proper now, however we have to win the sport at house [against Celtic] and we’re nearly by way of so we’re delighted about that.”
Duran turns 21 on Friday, and he is aware of precisely how he desires to rejoice.
“I’m undoubtedly not going out to rejoice my birthday as a result of my intention is to attain on Saturday to rejoice,” he added.
In his post-match interview, Emery gave a small perception into why he retains beginning Watkins over Duran.
“Generally he [Duran] may be very impassioned and we have now to attempt to preserve balanced with him,” Emery informed Amazon Prime.
“He scored an amazing aim and he works, we are attempting to get the staff robust with a tactical method. His potential is huge. Tactically he’s bettering and right now he performed a implausible 45 minutes.”
‘Do not go away me out’
It isn’t simply Villa followers who’re divided over which striker Emery ought to begin going ahead.
“I do know he’s solely younger however you will have each proper to go and ask the supervisor why you aren’t beginning in case you are doing what he desires,” Alan Shearer mentioned of Duran on Amazon Prime.
“Overlook your age. In case you are doing all your bit and doing what the supervisor desires, you must be within the staff. His message will likely be: Do not go away me out once more.”
Talking on BBC Radio 5 Dwell, former Villa winger Marc Albrighton made the case for Watkins.
“I assumed Duran actually led the road effectively. On earlier events, clearly he will get his objectives, however I feel Watkins affords extra as an all-round striker,” Albrighton mentioned.
“I feel that is in all probability why Emery favours him to start out video games, however I assumed tonight when Duran got here on, he put himself about extra, he obtained extra concerned within the link-up play after which tops it off along with his aim as effectively.”